Plaza de la Raza plays a vital role in the larger arts ecosystem of Los Angeles County and Southern California. The organization serves as a hub for artists, educators, and community members seeking to collaborate and develop innovative arts and cultural programming. With the center’s impressive collection of classes, workshops, performances and exhibitions, Plaza de la Raza is a unique experience that combines education and tradition. Plaza’s School of Performing and Visual Arts (SPVA) offers weekly after-school classes on a quarterly schedule to local children and youth in a variety of traditional and folk disciplines, at low or no cost. The center’s primary constituency is comprised of low-income families residing in the surrounding community of Lincoln Heights, East Los Angeles and welcomes 50,000 guests annually from throughout the region. Plaza’s student ensemble groups include a Student Folklorico and Youth Mariachi led by local cultural bearers, masters in their field. Plaza’s student companies regularly perform at community-based venues and events throughout LA County as ambassadors of the arts and edify the success of SPVA training. Plaza’s presenting programs include past guests such as Los Lobos, Bela Lewitzki, Ozomatli and Culture Clash, art exhibitions including the first major Frida Kahlo show in 1987, and the highly popular Chicano Collection, presented by Cheech Marin. Plaza also hosts an energetic list of year-round programs anchored by four annual public festivals marking Mexica New Year, Día del Niño, Día de los Muertos and a year-end Holiday Toy Drive and Celebration.